New tractor and trailer
weight limits come into force
Helpful for farmers
NFU transport spokesperson John Collen
said:
“The date given for the new speed and
weight limits to take effect is helpful for
farmers – early March means it’s in time
for busy periods such as silage and hay
making and harvest. We are pleased to see
that DfT recognises that the current limits
are outdated and they are considering further
increases, and we welcome the opportunity
for continued negotiation of enhanced limits
for harvest in 2016.”
CLA Midlands regional director
Caroline Bedell said:
“Tractors are safer and faster than they were
when these speed limits were imposed 27
years ago. These changes will make our
rural roads safer by reducing the amount of
FARMERS will be able to take larger tractor tractors to 40km/h (approximately 25mph),
“These changes will allow tractors to carry
overtaking that takes place.
and trailer combinations on to the road
up from 20mph. More changes are likely to
more produce per journey, meaning less traffic “We will continue to press for further
and drive them faster from today (March
come in next year. The second phase will see a on our roads and almost £60 million savings
changes, especially related to the weight
9), as new tractor and trailer weight limits
further consideration of increases in weight and for the hard-working farming community
limit for heavier trailers. It is time to make
come into force. Under the changes, which
speed limits and a roadworthiness test for some each year. Farms are the life-blood of rural
sure the law reflects the major advance in
were confirmed in February, the maximum
agricultural tractors and trailers by harvest
communities and helping them is part of the
technology that has taken place, leading to a
combination weight limit for tractors and
2016. Transport Minister Claire Perry said
government’s long-term economic plan to
reduction in the number of journeys taken,
trailers has increased from 24.39 tonnes to 31 these changes would save almost £60 million improve the lives of people up and down the
further lessening the risk of incident.”
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